Hiwassee Dam falls to Highlands
Hiwassee Dam – The Nest was jam-packed as volleyball and cross-country seniors at Hiwassee Dam were honored before the varsity volleyball game.
Brinkley Payne, Brooklyn Hyde, Gracie Rhodes and Peyton Williamson from the volleyball team – as well as Brock Hyde, Abel Penland and Avery Taylor from the cross-country squad – were honored on Oct. 7.
After the six seniors were honored, it was game time between the Lady Eagles and their Little Smoky Mountain Conference rivals Highlands. The two teams met earlier in the season, and the Lady Eagles got the 3-2 win on Sept. 18.
This time when the two foes met in Hiwassee Dam, it was a different story.
The Lady Eagles took a big lead early in the first set. Highlands called a timeout as Abby Harris got a kill to give the Lady Eagles a 12-6 lead.
Out of the timeout, Highlands fought back immediately and then tied the match at 13. The Lady Highlanders then got their first lead of the match and didn’t let go of it.
Highlands maintained their lead but the Lady Eagles just a few points behind. Hiwassee Dam couldn’t catch up, and Highlands won the first set 25-19.
In the second set, Highlands took the early lead. They extended their lead to 13-4, prompting a Lady Eagles timeout. Hiwassee Dam was able to cut into the lead late in the set, but Highland won the second set 25-18 to lead 2-0 in the match.
Highlands again took an early lead as set three got underway. They built their lead to 14-6 when the Lady Eagles called their first timeout of the set.
The Lady Eagles cut into the lead and both teams battled until the end of the set. Highlands won the third set 25-21 to win the match 3-0.
The loss handed the Lady Eagles their second Little Smoky Mountain Conference loss of the season. On Monday, the Lady Eagles traveled to host-school Highlands for the first round of the Little Smoky Mountain Conference tournament.
In their first round matchup, they faced Summit Charter.
The Lady Eagles got the win, sending them to the Little Smoky Mountain Conference championship.
In the championship, they will face Highlands at 6:30 p.m. today.
They will look to repeat as conference champs.